Electric gas-generator



R. ROSNER.

ELECTRIC GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, I921.

Patented Sept. 13,

Fadolffiba an UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLF ROSNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC GAS-GENERATOR.

Specification-of Letters Patent. Patented S t 13 192 1 v Application filed January 28, 1921. Serial No. 440, 611.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLE RosNER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and the State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements- 'in Electric Gas-Generators,-of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The general-purpose of this invention is the same as that of my prior invention represented by my pending application, Serial No. 389,684, filed June 17, 1920,-,-namely, to provide an apparatus for generating-a ger- -micidal gas or gases by electrical means.

' The present invention represents certain dechine taken as indicated at velopments and improvements of the apparatus-shown in my said application as hereinafterdescribed and shown in the drawings and as indicated by the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a' medial section of the gas generating machine being taken at parting plane of the two halves of, the casing as indicated at line 1-1 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 i's-a transverse section of said maline 2-2 on F 1. i I

Fig. 3 .is a wiring diagram of the apparatus showing the electrical connections and showing the gas generating machine itself in plan.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of an adjustable drive coupling for the gas generator.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of said coupling taken partly in section.

' F ig. 6 is a transverse section taken as indicated at line 66 on Fig. 5.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated the essential unit of my apparatus which may be termed the gas generating machine and corresponds with a similar unit in my aforesaid earlier application. It consists of a casing, 1. formed in two halves of dielectric material and having within it a shallow circular recess,.2, with an enlarged portion, 3, extending circumferentially with 'respect to said recessand constituting the gas generating chamber. Mounted for rotation withprovided with an inlet port, 7, in which there is secured a fitting, 8, comprising a chamber, 9, anterior to the inlet, 7, and avalve gu1de, 10, which supports an inwardly opening valve, 11', adapted to control admiss1on of air to the chamber, 3, through the inlet, 7. The valve, 11, is normally held seated 'by a spring, 12, shown as a coiled tension spring having one end secured to the valve, 11, and the other end mounted in a sl dably adjustable rod, 13, whereby the tension of the spring, 12, may be altered as desired. In the guide, 10, which is in the form of a cap for the chamber, 9, there are formed one or more air admission ports, 14, giving access to the hollow cylindrical guide body, 15, of the valve, 11, and thence through ports, 16, in said cylindrical body toythe chamber, 9, when the valve, 11, is opened. The air is drawn into the chamber, 3, by

suction created by a suctionblower or other 4 connecting with the end of the chamber, 3, remote from the inlet, 7. Such suction producing deviceis not shown in the drawings but is clearly indicatedin a corresponding relation in my prior application, Serial No. 389,684. Under some conditions it is desirable to admit more air than the adjustment of the spring, 12, will permit in view of the suction available, and for this purpose suplemental admission ports, 18, are provided 1n the wall of the chamber, 9, and are controlled by a rotatable skirt, 19, of the cap, 10, having apertures, 20, positioned to register with the ports, 18. A handle, 21, may be provided for manual adjustment of this auxiliary air inlet. p

The electrodes; 5, on the disk, 4, are formed with conducting arms, 22, secured under the metallic head, 23, of the shaft, 24, and said shaft has a portion, 25, running in contact with a brush, 26, which is connected Figs. 1 and 3. By producing an electric discharge between the electrodes, 5 and 6, in the chamber, 3, I am able to produce from the air fed into the chamber through the inlet, 7, a germicidal gas whose nature and quality I am able tovary by certain adjustments in the apparatus about to be described.

The electrical energy for the discharge in the chamber, 3, preferably originates 'as an alternating current generated by an alternator which may be of the single phase type and is indicated at 28 in Fig. 3. This alternator, 28, is connected into the primary circuit, 29, of a transformer whose secondary circuit, 30, includes the conductors, 26 and 27 and the electrodes, 5 and 6. The shaft, 24, carrying the disk, 22, and electrodes, 5, may be rotated by any convenient means but should be rotated at such a speed that one of the electrodes, 5, will travel past the electrode, 6, during each cycle of the alternating current in the primary circuit, 29. This is very simply accomplished by arranging the altenator, 28, in axial alinement with the shaft, 24, and coupling the shafts of the tWo machines together as indicated diagrammatically at 31 in Fig. 3. Preferably a coupling member, 32, of dielectric material is used as in a similar situation in the apparatus shown in my prior application above discharge between the electrodes, 5 and 6 for each cycle ,of the alternating current. It is also important that the discharge shall occur within a period of time not greater than one-half the cycle so that it shall be completed while the current surge continues in the same direction,that is before the reversal of the direction of flow of the alternating current. This is readily possible where the alternator and the gas generator are directconnected as indicated in Fig. 3.

In operating an apparatus of this kind and providing in the casing, 1, an observation window, 33, opposite the fixed electrode, 6, and extending for some distance therefrom I find that as the disk, 4, is revolved in the direction indicated by the arrow, 34, an electric discharge occurs as each of the electrodes, 5, passes the fixed electrode, 6. This begins with a silent static discharge occuring as the electrode, 5, approaches the electrode, 6, and usually about the point indicated at a, on Fig. 1. Then follows a regular static discharge from the inclined surface of the electrode, 6,'at b, with a continuing violet discharge at 0, along the portion of the fixed electrode which is shaped parallel to the path of rotation of the moving electrode. As the moving electrode tion of the air and its recombination into a gas whose chemical constituency I am atpresent unable to state but which is found to have quite remarkable healing properties when applied to tissues of the human body whether infected, inflamed or diseased through the presence of germs, particularly those recognized as tubercular.

I have further discovered that by providing a pole changing switch in the secondary circuit, 30, of the transformer as indicated at 35 so that thecurrent surge in the secondary circuit will pass between the electrodes, 5 and 6, in the opposite direction when the pole changer, 35, is shifted, I secure a flame of quite different appearance in which the violet color remains bound closely adjacent the dynamic spark, e, at the electrode, 6, instead of being drawn into a flame as indicated at 0 in Fig. 1. And I find that the resulting gas produced by this electric discharge is of a different nature from the gas produced by the flame first described. The former gas corresponding to the flame shown in Fig. 1 has a taste when inhaled which is distinctly bitter and when the gas is injected into water the taste of the water is found to be flat; on the other hand when the current is reversed by the switch, 35, the resulting gas has a taste which may be described as dry but not bitter and the healing effect on a given patient or under certain conditions is found to be different from that of the first gas.

As another means of accomplishing this reversal of the current surge in the circuit which includes the electrodes, 5 and 6, I may provide a special coupling member, 32, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, having a slideable key, 36, adapted to engage one of the notches, 37, in the cotiperating member, 38. These notches, 37, are shown in the drawing as actually 180 apart but it is only necessary that they be 180 electrical degrees apart with respect to the alternator, 28, so that the angular relation between the electrodes, 5, and the poles of the alternator, 28, will be changed by the amount of one-half cycle of the alternator if the key, 36, be removed from one of the notches, 37, and the clutch member, 32", rotated for insertion of the key in the other notch, 37. Obviously 1 half ofthe cycle when the current surge in the primary circuit, 29, is oppositely directed and is causing a correspondingly opposite surge of high potential in the secondary circuit, 30. The final effect therefore is to reverse the direction of discharge as between electrodes,,5 and 6, just as when the pole changer, 35, is used.

hAs a means for modifying the quality of t e provlde an impedance coil, 39, in the prinounced.

' -is substantially mary circuit, 29, and a switch 40, by which the impedance coil may be included in series or omitted from the primary circuit at will. The insertion or omission of the impedance or any other method of controlling the quantity of energy represented by the discharge between electrodes, 5 and 6, (as for example substituting an alternator at 28 of higher or lower voltage) seems to affect the quality but not the nature of the gas so that its observable effects on the human tissues are more or less rapid or more or less pro- It is my belief that the treatment of the air entering the chamber, 3, at the inlet, 7

and coming in contact with the electric flame results in superchargingthe resultant gas with electrons and that the presence of the electron charge is largely responsible for the beneficial eifects observed when the gasis used in the treatment of disease. One method 'of utilizing the gas is to have the patient inhale it as it is drawn from the generating chamber, 3, and I find that by extending a conductor from any convenient metallic portion of the machine such as' the supporting frame not shown, and applying the free end of the conductor to the patients body I am able to control the efi'ect ofthegas by localizing it. This may be accounted for by supposing that the gas itself serves as one .conductor for discharging static electricity while the conductor which I' connect to the machine operates to complete a pathfor the static discharge which has-"a controlling efi'ect upon the delivery of electrons into" the human system and therefore upon the healing effect of the treatment.

- As shown in Fig. 1 I prefer to form electrodes, 5, with beveled or inclined surfaces, 5, constituting the trailing portions of said electrodes and to form the fixed electrode, 6, with a surface, 6*, which is inclined toward the path of rotation of the moving electrodes, 5, (considering their direction of travel) and connects with a part, 6", which parallel to said path of motion. This inclination of the surface, 6, results in a gradual approach of the electrodes and a gradual narrowing of the air gap so that the static discharge is distributed over a considerable period of time and I avoid the danger of undue shock to the transformer and conductors such as would gas produced in the chamber, 3, I may result from too sudden and violent static discharge. The tapering or beveling of the surface, 5, of electrodes, 5, in a corresponding manner results in a gradual widening of the air gap as the moving electrodes recede from the fixed electrode with the result that the static discharge and the flame at 0 are drawn out through a longer arc than when the air gap is more abruptly widened.

I claim I 1. In a gas generating machine'comprising a chamber of incombustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, a fixed electrode inthe chamber adjacent the inlet, a movable electrode mounted to travel past said fixed electrode with a gap between them, means for feeding air through the inlet and a source of high potential electric current connected to said electrodes; means for controlling admission of said air through the inlet comprising an inwardlyopening valve with a spring tending to hold it seated.

adapted tovary its strength.

2. In a gas generating machine comprising a chamber of incombustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent the inlet, a movable electrode mounted to travel past said fixed electrode with a gap between them, means for feeding air througlr the inlet and a source of high" potential electric current connected to said electrodes; a chamber anterior to the inlet with an inwardly opening spring seated valve admitting air to said chamber and an auxiliary air admission port for the chamber disposed between said Valve and the inlet with a manually adjustable closure for said port.

'3. In the combination defined in claim'"1, a chamber anterior to the-inlet and interposed between the latter and said springconnected to said electrodes; the surface of the movable electrode which passes adjacent the fixed electrode being inclined to its direction of motion, diverging from the fixed electrode rearwardly with respect to said direction, to gradually widen the gap between them as the moving electrode recedes. 5. In a gas generating machine comprising a chamber of incombustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent the inlet, a

movable electrode mounted to travel past said fixed electrode with a gap between them, means for feeding air through the inlet and a source of high potential electric current connected to said electrodes; the trailing portion of the movable electrode which passes adjacent the fixed electrode being inclined divergently from said fixed electrode rearwardly with respect to its direction of motion for gradually widening the gap as the moving electrode recedes.

6. In a gas generating machine comprising a chamber of incombustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent the inlet, a movable electrode mounted to travel past said fixed electrode with a gap between them,.means for feeding air through the inlet and a source of high potential electric current connected to said electrodes; the surface of the fixed electrode which stands adjacent the path of the traveling electrode being inclined toward said path with respect to the direction of travel for gradually narrowing the gap as the moving electrode approaches.

7. In a gas generating machine comprising a chamber of incombustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent the inlet,

a movable electrode mounted to travel past said fixed electrode with a gap between them, means for feeding air through the inlet and a source of high potential electric current connected to said electrodes; a part of the fixed electrode surface which stands adjacent the path of the traveling electrode being inclined toward said path with respect to the direction of travel and continuing in a portion substantially parallel to said path of motion.

8. In a gas generating machine comprising a chamber of incumbustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent the inlet, a movable electrode mounted to travel past said fixed electrode with a gap between them, means for feeding air through the inlet and a source of high potential electric current connected to said electrodes; the co-acting surfaces of the two electrodes having inclined portions divergent rearwardly from the path'of motion of the traveling electrode as and for the purpose indicated. 1

9. In a gas generating machine comprising a chamber of incombustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent the inlet, one or more movable electrodes, a source of high potential alternating current connected to said electrodes, a carrier on which said movable electrodes are mounted to pass the fixed electrode at regular intervals for causing periodic electric discharges in said chamber and means for moving the said carrier at a rate to produce such discharges with a frequency equal to that of said alternating current andmeans for feeding the air through the inlet.

10. In the combination defined in claim 9, said electrodes being dimensioned to limit the time of such electric discharges to less than a half cycle of the alternating current.

11. In a gas generating machine comprising a chamber of incombustible dielectric material with an inlet, an outlet, means for feeding the air through the inlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent said inlet, one or more movable electrodes and a source of high potential electric current adapted to produce periodic surges of current alternately in opposite directions and connected to said electrodes, a carrier for said movable electrodes adapted to move them past the fixed electrode at regular intervals to cause electric discharges in the chamber and means for timing the passage of the'moving electrodes to occur with onehalf the frequency of said alternating surges so that all discharges in the chamber will be occasioned by similarly directed surges of current.

12. In the combination defined in claim 11, connections adjustable at will for reversing the direction of the current surge through the electrodes of the gas-generating machine for altering the nature of the dis charge flame in the chamber.

13. In a gas generating machine com rising a chamber of dielectrlc material wit an inlet and outlet, a fixed electrode in the chamber adjacent the inlet one or more movable electrodes; a source of high potential alternating current including a transformer and an impedance together with means adapted for connecting the latter at will in series with the primary circuit of the transformer; the secondary circuit being connected to the electrodes of the gas generating machine, a carrier on which said movable electrodes are mounted to ass the fixed electrode at regular intervals f dr causing periodic electric discharges in said chamber, and means for feeding air to the chamber through the inlet.

14. In the combination defined in claim 9, said source of high potential current comprising an alternator and a transformer, the secondary circuit of the latter including the electrodes of the gas generating machine and the means for timin the electric discharges comprising a mecEanical connection between said alternator and the carrier for driving the latter with the former.

15. In the combination defined in claim 14, the number of movable electrodes in a gas generating machine being equal to half the number of les in the alternator.

16. In the combination defined in claim 14:, the alternator having a number of poles equal to twice that of the movable electrodes a pole changing switch in said secondary or a greater multiple thereof. circuit.

17. In the combination defined in claim In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 10 9, said source of high potential current commy hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 26th day 5 prising an alternator and a transformer of January, 1921.

with the secondary circuit of the latter including the electrodes of the machine and RUDOLF ROSNER. 

